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Brendan Rodgers: ‘There’s a frenzy to get me the sack’

Brendan Rodgers came out fighting following Liverpool’s victory over Aston Villa on Saturday, the Echo report.

We beat Tim Sherwood’s men 3-2 at Anfield, putting in a strong performance highlighted by Daniel Sturridge’s two-goal salvo.

But it wasn’t a perfect showing by any stretch of the imagination, and Rodgers’ comments are likely to bring further criticism from those who want him out of the club.

“There has been a frenzy, there is no doubt about that, to get me out of here,” Rodgers said.

“Whether that’s a Liverpool hysteria or a big club hysteria, I am not so sure. The scrutiny here is obviously greater, for me, than at any club.

“It is a huge club and as a manager you know that and deal with it.

“I am fine. You know what comes from leadership and being a manager. I’ve never got too carried away when we’ve won, and not too disappointed when we’ve lost.

“I have a hunger to succeed here. I know last season and this there have been a lot of things going against us, but we’ve always managed to stick together and improve together.

“The players and staff are very much together, fighting to be better and to live up to the expectations we create ourselves that is to be the best. With players returning we can have a great season. With me there is no drama, I only worry about the team.”

“It’s not about proving people wrong,” Rodgers continued.

“I think I have shown in the early stages of my management – without being arrogant – that with a talented group of players I can compete at the top end of the league.

“There are very short memories in football. The team was eighth when I got here and we built and produced a team to excite people throughout European football that should have won the league.

“It didn’t but nobody even expected us to be near the top four. I know how to manage top players and build and manage an exciting group, but when you lose that or those players are not available and you have to piece it together, that takes time. Then all the good work gets forgotten. That’s how it works.

“My only gripe is that it seems the focus has not been on what’s gone on and what we’ve been missing, but more about getting me out of the club. That’s sad.

“I am the same man who nearly won us the game, but better. If you give me the tools I’ll do the work.”

Rodgers has asked for the tools to help him do his job, but having spent £250m, he arguably should already have them.

The Villa win will buy him more time, but he needs a string of results now to truly silence the large number of doubters.